Fire in Whitewater Township destroys business, apartment complex

CINCINNATI (FOX19)-- Fire crews are working a large fire in the 3600 block of Lawrenceburg Road in Whitewater Township.

Officials say fire started in an automotive repair shop early Wednesday and spread to an apartment complex.

Residents in the apartment building say their power went out and they began to smell smoke. They searched the building for several hours before discovering the fire in the utility room.

Numerous fire departments from western Hamilton County and southeastern Indiana joined to battle the fire, which could be seen for miles. Officials say the roof of the auto shop collapsed, forcing firefighters to remain outside.

Water was also an issue. The nearest hydrant is more than a mile away, so water had to be trucked in on pumpers.

Fifteen people have been displaced and are being helped by the Red Cross.

A Butler County woman has been researching a discovered diary that belonged to a late marine and is now making it her mission to get the piece of history back into the hands of the World War II veteran's family.

A Butler County woman has been researching a discovered diary that belonged to a late marine and is now making it her mission to get the piece of history back into the hands of the World War II veteran's family.